Prof. Dr. Feng Yang | Molecular Dynamics | Young Scientist Award

Ph.D at City University of Macau, China.

Dr. Feng Yang is a distinguished Full Professor at the Department of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Geosciences (CUG), Wuhan 🇨🇳. With a deep-rooted passion for subsurface energy research, Dr. Yang specializes in petrophysics, shale oil occurrence, and pore-scale modeling 🧪. Over the past decade, he has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed journal articles in leading publications such as Energy & Fuels, Langmuir, and Chemical Engineering Journal 📚. His international collaboration includes a prestigious postdoctoral stint at RWTH Aachen University in Germany 🇩🇪. As an active member of professional societies like SPE and ACS 🌐, and a reviewer for over 20 high-impact journals, he is recognized globally for his scientific contributions. Dr. Yang’s research bridges experimental, simulation, and field approaches to address the challenges of unconventional reservoirs, making him a leading voice in the petroleum engineering community 🚀.

Professional Profile:

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Suitability For Young Scientist Award – Prof. Dr. Feng Yang:

Dr. Feng Yang is highly suitable for the Young Scientist Award based on his outstanding academic credentials, early career leadership, impactful research contributions, and international engagement. Despite already being a Full Professor, which reflects rapid professional advancement, he continues to operate within the “young scientist” trajectory—producing cutting-edge research, building global collaborations, and mentoring the next generation of petroleum engineers.

🎓 Education

Dr. Feng Yang holds a Ph.D. (2009–2014) in Petroleum Engineering 🎓 from the prestigious China University of Petroleum, Beijing 🏛️. He earned his undergraduate degree (2005–2009) in Petroleum Engineering from Southwest Petroleum University 🧑‍🔬. His strong academic foundation has shaped his ability to explore complex problems in fluid mechanics and rock physics 🛢️. These formative academic years laid the groundwork for his prolific research in unconventional energy systems 🔍.

🏢 Professional Experience

Dr. Yang began his career as a Research Assistant at the China University of Petroleum, Beijing (2009–2014) 🔬. He then pursued postdoctoral research in Germany at the Institute of Geology and Geochemistry of Petroleum and Coal, RWTH Aachen University (2014–2015) 🌍. Since March 2016, he has been serving as a Full Professor at the China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), where he leads innovative projects in tight reservoirs and shale systems 🛠️. His career reflects a steady progression in leadership and impact across academia and international collaboration 🌐.

📈 Professional Development

Dr. Feng Yang has demonstrated remarkable growth in scientific and professional development 🚀. As an esteemed member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and the American Chemical Society (ACS) 🌎, he engages actively with the global scientific community. He serves as a peer reviewer for over 20 top-tier journals including Energy, Fuel, Marine and Petroleum Geology, and Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 📝. His consistent publication record and cross-institutional collaborations highlight his dynamic role in global energy research. Dr. Yang’s frequent participation in international conferences, such as those organized by SPE and AAPG, enhances his visibility and fosters intellectual exchange 📢. His role in mentoring students, conducting advanced experimental studies, and using simulation tools like Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics showcases his evolving expertise 🔍. Through continuous research, publication, and academic leadership, Dr. Yang is a model of lifelong learning and innovation in petroleum science 📊.

🧪 Research Focus

Dr. Feng Yang’s research falls under the category of Unconventional Reservoirs and Subsurface Energy Systems 🌍. His core focus lies in petrophysics, fluid transport, and pore-scale modeling in tight and shale reservoirs 🛢️. He investigates mechanisms of hydrocarbon occurrence, mobility, and sorption using advanced tools like nuclear magnetic resonance, molecular dynamics simulations, and mercury intrusion porosimetry 🔬. His studies explore nano-to-micro scale transport phenomena, enhancing the understanding of fluid–rock interactions, capillarity, and wettability in low-permeability formations 🧱. This multidisciplinary research integrates computational physics, geochemistry, and petroleum engineering, offering practical insights for exploration and enhanced recovery 🧠. Dr. Yang’s work supports energy security through efficient extraction technologies and contributes to optimizing shale oil and gas development. His field and lab-based findings are vital for advancing unconventional reservoir characterization and energy resource sustainability ⚡.

🛠️ Research Skills

Dr. Feng Yang excels in a wide range of research skills categorized under experimental petrophysics, computational modeling, and analytical geoscience 🔬. He is proficient in pore network analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), sorption isotherm experiments, and centrifugal oil mobility techniques 🧪. His simulation expertise includes Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) and Molecular Dynamics (MD), used to understand interactions at the solid-liquid interface in shale systems 🧫. With strong quantitative skills, he effectively correlates rock physics properties with hydrocarbon behavior, enabling better reservoir evaluation. Dr. Yang also utilizes multiscale imaging and modeling tools to upscale pore-scale findings to field-scale applications 📐. His interdisciplinary skills span petroleum engineering, physics, and geochemistry, making his methodological toolkit especially robust for tackling modern reservoir engineering challenges 🚀.

🏆 Awards and Honors

While specific awards are not listed in the provided CV 🗂️, Dr. Feng Yang’s academic stature and prolific publishing record in highly reputed journals speak volumes about his recognition and scholarly esteem 📚. Serving as a reviewer for more than 20 peer-reviewed international journals 📝 and holding an international postdoctoral fellowship at RWTH Aachen University, Germany 🇩🇪, underscores the academic and global merit of his research. He has been invited to present at major conferences including those by SPE and AAPG 🌐, which further demonstrates peer acknowledgment of his scientific impact. His elevation to Full Professor at a relatively young age is in itself a significant honor within the Chinese academic system 🥇. With consistent contributions to the frontier of petroleum science, Dr. Yang has earned recognition as a leading researcher in unconventional energy resources 🎖️.

Publication Top Notes

1. Fractal characteristics of shales from a shale gas reservoir in the Sichuan Basin, China

• Authors: F. Yang, Z. Ning, H. Liu

• Journal: Fuel

• Volume: 115

• Pages: 378–384

• Cited by: 700

• Year: 2014

• Summary: This study explores the fractal characteristics of shale pore structures using mercury intrusion and nitrogen adsorption techniques to better understand gas storage capacity and heterogeneity in shale gas reservoirs.

2. Characterization of microscopic pore structures in shale reservoirs

• Authors: F.N. Yang, B.P. Wang

• Journal: Acta Petrolei Sinica

• Volume: 34, Issue 2

• Pages: 301

• Cited by: 355

• Year: 2013

• Summary: The paper focuses on detailed analysis of shale pore types, distributions, and structure using various imaging and adsorption techniques, contributing to a deeper understanding of reservoir properties.

3. Pore structure characteristics of lower Silurian shales in the southern Sichuan Basin, China: Insights to pore development and gas storage mechanism

• Authors: F. Yang, Z. Ning, Q. Wang, R. Zhang, B.M. Krooss

• Journal: International Journal of Coal Geology

• Volume: 156

• Pages: 12–24

• Cited by: 266

• Year: 2016

• Summary: This work provides insight into the origin and evolution of pore structures in Silurian shale formations and evaluates their gas storage potential.

4. Investigations on the methane sorption capacity of marine shales from Sichuan Basin, China

• Authors: F. Yang, Z. Ning, R. Zhang, H. Zhao, B.M. Krooss

• Journal: International Journal of Coal Geology

• Volume: 146

• Pages: 104–117

• Cited by: 249

• Year: 2015

• Summary: This article evaluates the methane adsorption behavior of marine shales, emphasizing the role of organic matter and thermal maturity in sorption capacity.

5. Full-scale pores and micro-fractures characterization using FE-SEM, gas adsorption, nano-CT and micro-CT: A case study of the Silurian Longmaxi Formation shale in the Fuling area

• Authors: Q. Gou, S. Xu, F. Hao, F. Yang, B. Zhang, Z. Shu, A. Zhang, Y. Wang, Y. Lu, …

• Journal: Fuel

• Volume: 253

• Pages: 167–179

• Cited by: 192

• Year: 2019

• Summary: This study integrates multiple imaging and analytical techniques to comprehensively assess pore and fracture networks in shale, enhancing understanding of gas flow pathways.

6. Pore Structure of Shales from High Pressure Mercury Injection and Nitrogen Adsorption Method

• Authors: Y. Feng, N. Zheng-fu, K. De-tao, Liu Hui-qing

• Journal: Natural Gas Geoscience

• Volume: 24, Issue 3

• Pages: 450–455

• Cited by: 177

• Year: 2013

• Summary: This paper applies mercury intrusion and nitrogen adsorption methods to investigate shale pore characteristics, aiding in reservoir evaluation and development strategies.

🧾 Conclusion:

Dr. Feng Yang exemplifies the ideal candidate for the Young Scientist Award. His rapid career progression, pioneering research in unconventional reservoir engineering, and global academic visibility highlight both his scientific maturity and continued potential. His work addresses key global energy challenges, blending theoretical innovation with applied outcomes. Recognizing him with this award would not only acknowledge his past contributions but also encourage continued excellence in advancing sustainable and efficient energy solutions.